As we all know, education in begins at home. But in many immigrant families, the parents may not know English and so cannot help their children with homework. Nor can they participate much in parent activities.
Because they have families and also many of them work, they are unable to attend “regular” classes at city colleges, etc. One solution is to develop classes at the “grassroots”.
In this area, technology can provide an answer and a means for these adults to pursue their educational goals.
First, there are many different kinds of free and low-cost lessons and courses that are available via computers, either online or on CDs.
In addition, these days you can buy a good used computer at a second hand store or swap meet for $50 or less.
What would help would be a community effort to provide information to immigrant families as to how they can use technology for their own educational needs.
I teach English as a Second Language and use my own materials in a free class at a library in Ventura. The class is a “Blended” class, using hard copies of texts, CDs, DVDs as well as lessons online with two websites I have developed.
My students are mostly women from Mexico who have kids in school. Some have computers and gradually the others are getting them. So eventually everyone will be able to learn English at home.
Recently I have been conducting outreach to various cities in the county to suggest that people could form an English Club with family and friends using my materials, which are free or at a low cost. And, I am getting a good response.
If you are interested in this kind of approach to Adult ESL, please contact me for more information